How to Accept a Compliment While Flirting

By: Sam Grover - Updated June 09, 2015

Complimenting someone is a key part of flirting. When you pay someone a compliment, you are showing that you went out of your way to recognise something about her. So, when someone pays you a compliment while already acting flirtatious, you can assume that the compliment is part of the flirting. You can keep the flirting going by accepting the compliment in a certain way; there's a difference between flirting and just being polite, and if you are interested in someone you need to show the former rather than the latter.

Flirting is how people interact when they are attracted to one another.

Step 1

Look at the person with whom you're flirting and say "Thank you." Doing so is important because it shows that you appreciate the compliment. If you brush it off with an excuse or by saying something such as, "Oh, you don't mean that," then you'll come across as unappreciative.

Step 2

Use the compliment as a conversation point. Listening is a major component of flirting, so if someone compliments your watch, you could say, "Thank you, are you interested in watches?" This will let him talk about himself, thus extending the conversation and giving you more of an opportunity to continue flirting back and forth.

Step 3

Tease her a little when she compliments you. Doing so is kind of tricky because you don't want to be dismissive of her compliment, but you do want to maintain a playful attitude. So, don't force this technique but if you do see an opportunity to gently tease her, then by all means take it.

Step 4

Move closer to him when you thank him. This will non-verbally show that you are interested in him. Moving into his personal space in response to the compliment says far more than a mere "Thank you" ever could.

Step 5

Smile and make eye contact when you thank her. Eye contact is another nonverbal communication technique that will make you connect with her more and ramp up your flirtation.

Step 6

Compliment him back. Don't do it right away, though, because this will look like an obligatory response compliment. Wait a few minutes -- while moving in closer and smiling -- then compliment him on something unrelated to his previous compliment to you.

References

About the Author

Sam Grover began writing in 2005, also having worked as a behavior therapist and teacher. His work has appeared in New Zealand publications "Critic" and "Logic," where he covered political and educational issues. Grover graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Arts in history.